First, the funny. Bayou was thoroughly amused by my rant on the subject. If you’re so inclined, go ahead and help her think of “fantasy sponsors” for the our wedding- or tell her what yours would be. (We really need to get around to setting a date and planning, don’t you think? -ed)

Anyway…

I’ve been relatively quiet on the marriage equality issues for awhile, because I can only go so far towards developing an ulcer. If I thought about it 24-7, my stomach acid would have eaten a hole through to my bellybutton. Well, that’s just not living, is it?

Based on the comments going on in my previous post, I think it’s time I clarify a few things:

-No, I’m not “mad” at the couple using corporate sponsorship. If anyone reading my other post even inferred a LITTLE that I was, you’re very wrong. They seem like smart, hip, very happy folks- and I wish them all the happiness in the world.

-Weddings in general, regardless of the issues of advertising in them, are already (and have been for AGES) a stew of ultra-consumerist crap. It’s all a big pageant, many times. Why else do you think we have the term “Bridezilla”?

-Weddings are expensive, yes. But does that mean we literally WHORE our “special day” out to the highest bidder in exchange for the “weddings of our dreams”? Selling your memories seems anathema to the very nature of marriage, which is private, and a gross and distorted representation of weddings. Weddings (in the modern sense) are meant to publicly celebrate a couple, yes. But selling adspace at one’s wedding takes that ‘celebration’ to a new height (low?) that churns my guts.

-It churns my guts, because of the inequity in marriage laws. I’m mad because I’m not afforded the rights Carrie and Dave have. So what you have, ladies and germs, are two separate issues from my previous post. This is the second, and ultimately
more important issue.

And those of you who read this, that’s what I want you to remember. That many of you, whether you think you do or not, take for granted every day some very basic things that all GLBT struggle for- if they get them at all. I’m luckier than many lesbians out there; King County/Seattle is very progressive on gay rights. But as those of you familiar with the marriage equality debate know,GLBT people are still missing many rights and protections that we should have.

Despite this bile and frustration pouring out that you’re sensing, I also wish to make one final personal distinction: even if we don’t win the right to marry legally in my lifetime, I WILL marry Bayou in a ceremony of our making. We WILL have our day, and we will celebrate it, even if the legislature and the courts are lagging behind.

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